Dr. Dopo Jam ~ Denmark

Cruisin' at Midnite (1981)

Dr. Dopo Jam's final effort Cruisin' at Midnite is a surprisingly very good album for such a late date (and the "red flag" warning of the title). Some really strong guitar, flute, synth, violin soloing, and electric piano drives most of the songs. Plus plenty of nice horn charts, also out of its time. And considering Dr. Dopo Jam's heritage, the goofball quotient is mercifully down, though not completely wiped clean. There's also a funky edge present - similar to some of the late 70's Kraut Fusion groups like Aera or To Be maybe. More for fusion fans than prog I'd submit.

Ownership: 1981 Dopo-Di-Doo-Platts (LP) 

2005 (first acquired); 4/25/19 (review); 2/24/21

Fat Dogs & Danishmen (1974)

Dr. Dopo Jam's sophomore effort is the tale of two Frank Zappa's. Most of Side 1, and parts of Side 2, are the silly Zappa, and the goofball meter (now an app on iPhone) goes into the red zone. I'm sure 'Ode to Daddy Meatloaf' and 'Surfin' in Sahara' might be funny to someone somewhere, but comes across as ridiculous on these shores. Most of Side 2 is the serious Frank Zappa (well, serious is a relative term of course). We're talking Hot Rats era here. The affected sax sounds replete with complicated music charts and top flight jazz rock jamming. Album peaks on the middle two tracks of the latter side. Overall a very good album, that one suspects could have been so much better. Lost opportunity that.

Ownership: 1974 Zebra (LP)

No legit reissues have surfaced for the above two albums as of 2/21/25. Their debut was issued years ago by Karma (to be reviewed eventually).

2004 (first acquired); 10/8/15 (review)

10/8/15 (new entry)